“We’re basically right now quite a ways apart from reaching an agreement, unfortunately,” he said. “We would like to get a contract done that would be fair for both sides, to our members, and also to the taxpayers.”

Chaudhary said driver safety is key to the union’s demands. The city recently started installing safety shields, which will eventually be set up in all 630 city buses, and while the union supports that first step, they say there’s more to be done.

“Safety is the number one priority. It’s non-negotiable,” said Chaudhary. “Everybody has a right to a safe work environment, and unfortunately we don’t have it.

“Most of our demands that we’re asking for are revolving around safety, and one of them is the working conditions themselves. That would be scheduling and providing the service that we’re out there to provide – a timely service with the frequency that’s needed to get people where they want to go, to work or home.

“We want to be able to do that without having any safety problems for our operators.”

The City has said its most recent offer was a final offer, but Chaudhary said the union is still ready to negotiate.

“The city has applied for a conciliator. We’re quite a ways apart, but we’re willing to sit down and talk to them anytime.”